Singapore should have proportional representation

Long-time readers of Yawning Bread will know that I have been arguing for a mixed model for Singapore’s parliament, since at least ten years ago. If my idea had been in effect, what would the 2011 parliament look like? Would it better reflect the people’s will? Using the vote counts from this general election, I have estimated the composition that would result. Opposition members would make up about 24 percent of the new parliament, far improved from the current 81:6 ratio (or 6.9 percent), or 81:9 ratio (10 percent) if one adds in non-constituency members of parliament. Briefly, to recapitulate my model: I have long proposed that Singapore’s parliament should be comprised of members elected via two routes: (a) first-past-the-post from single-member constituencies (SMC) and (b) an equal number through proportional representation. The total number of members of parliament (...